Men are also victims of sexual harassment

Sexual harassment in the workplace targets victims in many industries throughout the United States. In 2018, over 13,000 incidents of sexual harassment were reported to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the highest number in over 7 years. This number is thought to be even larger as many cases go unreported. Yet, not all cases involve women as victims. A growing number of men have reported being victims of sexual harassment at work by women managers or co-workers.

Sexual harassment towards men, as well as women, involves unwelcome physical advances, such as rubbing someone’s leg or giving a back massage. Yet, it also involves comments of a sexual nature, as well as propositions. In some cases, a female boss may tell her male subordinate that he cannot advance in the company unless he engages in certain activities. In one case, a female boss would continually ask her male co-worker to stay late and would require him to report to her office. She would ask him out after work, and after he turned her down, told him he would not get far in the company without her recommendation.

This type of harassment can make it difficult for people to perform their job effectively and be productive at work. In 2018, 15.9 percent of sexual harassment charges were initiated by men. Many other male victims failed to report incidents because they were afraid of retaliation and embarrassment. With a growing number of women in high ranking positions in the workforce, sexual harassment cases involving male victims may continue to grow.

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The law firm of Robert B. Landry III PLC, in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, works with clients throughout central and south Louisiana.